Rail roads and their tracks.

[caver]

The coal power plant I worked at took about 24 hours from a cold startup to tying online. That's why smaller peaking plants are often natural gas driven. throw a switch and tying online in minutes.

 

[ArlyA]

I wonder how "modern" vs "old steam" locomotives compare as far as usable live time?

Steam locomotives where not built for all that many years. If you like to see how horrible there maintenance was, watch the refurbishing video they made of the 4014. My gosh, it was good video and showed what all they went through. Steam boilers also liked to blow up if you fall short of there upkeep..

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I’d like a horn for my car that sounds like a steam engine whistle, that I can blow when a car in front of me lets out a huge cloud from vaping.

 

[BravoXray]

I wonder how "modern" vs "old steam" locomotives compare as far as usable live time?

I depends on how much money you want to spend to keep either one in running condition.
The big maintenance item on steam locomotives is obviously the boiler. Regulations require extensive testing at so many hours or days in service.
Modern diesels can go a million miles or more between overhaul, and don't require very frequent lubrication for all the moving parts on the drive axles and valve gear.

 

[ArlyA]

Sibley IA train derailment with tankers carrying ammonium nitrate that catch on fire.

 

[RobS]

I was stopped at the local tracks so I counted: 3 lead power units, 110 cars, 1 DPU, 61 cars. Pretty common through here, I guess I didn't realize how many cars these guys were moving in a single train. Impressive!

 

[Hay Dude]

Sibley IA train derailment with tankers carrying ammonium nitrate that catch on fire.

Trains are good, but Pipelines are the best answer. They don’t pollute the air, and rarely pollute the ground or water when properly installed or maintained.

 

[5030]

AN don't work in a pipe far as I know....

 

[Hay Dude]

AN don't work in a pipe far as I know....

I was making a general statement about liquids shipped by rail and pipeline.

 

[the old grind]

Enbridge's Line Five isn't real popular these days but there's no rail alternative across the Straights of Mackinac.

There are citizens and groups who don't want another waterway oil spill in the Great Lakes.

Decomission Line 5